President Donald Trump called the U.S. hockey team Thursday night to give them a pep talk ahead of its international championship game but first got a dig on opponent Canada – which Trump says he want's to annex.  

Trump wrote in a TruthSocial post that the United States "will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State."

The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament is being played in Montreal, where fans before earlier U.S. games booed when the National Anthem was played – including the one this past weekend between the two finalists that had five fights in the first nine seconds. 

The tournament –  which also features Finland and Sweden – comes after Trump imposed tariffs on the United States' northern neighbor. 

Trump also said in the post that he'll watching the game, having turned down an invitation by the U.S. team to see it in person, and chided Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him "Governor Trudeau." 

"Have a GREAT game tonight," Trump concluded. "So exciting.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's call took place after the team's morning warmup and that the team might put out a video of that call.

The U.S. and Canada have been bitter rivals amid the week-long competition. Canadian hockey fans booed the U.S. during its national anthem in previous matches, including the U.S.' opening match against Finland, and its round-robin game on Saturday against Canada. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.